Strip Coaster

Fabric:
     (20) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips of Background fabric
     (5) 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strips of 4 Main fabrics
     (1) 5" square of each 4 Main fabrics (Backing Squares)
     (4) 5" squares of flannel or light batting (pre-wash flannel)

Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

Step 1:
Right-sides together stitch one main fabric to one background fabric on the short side.  Do this for all 20 pieces.

Step 2:

Now stitch the opposite short sides together to form a tube.

It may seem a little weird if you've never used this technique before, but It will work out!

When you are done your tubes should look like this.

Step 3:
Now randomly snip the background fabric of your tubes so that they can open up and lie flat.
Tip 1: Use a steady hand so your fabric is straight and you don't have to trim off later -making a smaller coaster.
Tip 2: Cut at least 3/8" away from a seam line that way the background shows after the coaster is made.

Step 4:
Press your tubes open so they are strips.  Press towards the dark.

Step 5:
(Missing Picture) Arrange your strips in 4 sets of five and stitch the strips in each set together to form 4 rectangles. (Should look like the right square in step 6 picture.)

Step 6:
Square up our rectangles to be 5" square. (This will require cutting about 1/4" off each first and last strip.)

Step 7:
Create your coaster sandwiches by placing your backing square and coaster top right-sides together, and then placing your flannel square on top of those.  Stitch around all sides leaving an opening for turning at the bottom. Do this for all 4 sets.

Step 8:
Clip all your corners and turn the coasters right-side out so that the flannel is on the inside. Press flat with the seam allowance from the opening tucked in.  Then using a smaller seam allowance top-stitch near the edge of each coaster to close it.